Unmarried women: do you prefer the traditional role of a wife or a more progressive role?

Question

Are you okay with being a stay at home mom? Or do you prefer to work? Why or why not?

Answer 1

That's a road I'm nowhere near.

Over all, I'm adaptable. I could see jumping into a high powered career again, and I can also see getting married and being a homemaker (with husband and kids). I would forecast that I do both independantly instead of concurently.

Answer 2

I would really prefer a more progressive role because I believe that 1) I have a lot more to offer society than accepting a traditional role, 2) I do not want a man to control the purse strings completely and if I am working, he won't, and 3) I think that although it is nice to be able to rely on a man, that isn't always the answer and women need to know what it is to be independent.

Answer 3

Well, I'm an unmarried woman in her mid 40's..never married. Why? Just never met anyone that I connected with enough to even discuss "forever".

But I got to know me and that's been a positive, though at times, an acronmious relationship. But we're working on it.

I think had I ever married and had the inclination to have children which admittedly, I never possessed, I would probably elect to do both. I think there are positives involved with being a stay-at-home mom. Nurturing and raising kids is extremely important but so is the independent self possession a woman can aquire in the work place.

Both have their merits.

Some woman are in situations which enable them to stay home. If the option is theirs, then they are extremely lucky. Other women HAVE to work--they have no choice. I think then it's incumbant on working women to do what they can to nurture their kids when they can.

Since there are so many working moms supporting kids under the age of 16, why can't we give these women a tax break? I know there are working custodial dads out there, BUT--- until the "paying field" is levelled and women earn as much as men do for the exact same careers, then I feel single working supportive moms deserve a tax break of some sort.

And for those of you poo-pooing my comment, it's true. Sexism continues to rage on in the workplace. It's unfair. Grossly unfair.

By the same token, I'm a huge proponent of woman paying child support to the custodial fathers. Now that's ONLY fair.

Answer 4

I was and still am the unmarried mother of three, they are grown now and I was a full time employee all through their school age years and as well as college. There was no one else to provide for us and welfare just didn't cut it. I loved and still love my children dearly, but I found that if I did not have a job to go to, and had to stay home with them 24/7, I would have lost my freaking mind. Thank God for day cares and schools back in the late 70s and early 80s. I did not miss many of their achievements but I did miss some, but the past, present and future achievements of my children combined has been a life enjoyable. Oh, and I don't miss being married one bit, yes I have had a man in my life but it was me who chose not to be married so I devoted most of my time to my children and my work. Now here we are my youngest is now 23, I miss my babies, but I still enjoy being a full time mother and employee, it keeps all involved sane.

Answer 5

Actually, if you do it right, you can have it both ways. We don't really have to make a choice between wife or progress anymore. Let's use Lucy as an example. Lucy is a housewife. Lucy also volunteers at her local food mission, helped by volunteering after Hurricanes by working with a volunteer agency and still had dinner in the pan for her man by seven 'oclock every night. It's about planning/scheduling and it is the only way for a lot of women to feel they've made a contribution to society while making home sweet.
Is Lucy busy? Yes! And she likes it that way.

Answer 6

I believe that the traditional role is cute and all and that for some women its alright and its something to be proud of doing. But for me I confess that Im selfish and that I want to do what I want to do, and progress harder, faster and stronger to help the future generations on women grow!

Answer 7

UNmarried women probably cannot be stay at home moms. (unless they are essentially in the same type of committed relatioinship sans legal contract).
i am married, and i work full time. i do enjoy getting out of the house (i was a housewife for a few years). although, when i have kids i would prefer to stay with my children more, and ideally would like to work only part-time. i would continue to work, regardless, as i believe it's important for each person to have their own retirement and income for security and/or self-esteem purposes, since the divorce rate is so high. i contribute to that statistic, being divorced myself, and know how hard it is to suddenly be without means to be self-sufficient. i've also seen my mother, who was a stay-at-home mom all my life, and a housewife all her life, go through a divorce and be so stressed out about not being able to get a decent job due to lack of job skills and also to lose her insurance and suddenly be without future security (as she doesn't have any retirement--she was depending on my dad's).
but that is my personal opinion, i would not want to depend %100 on another person to provide for my life and my future, as i feel it is my own responsibility.

Answer 8

Well, after I get my BS, I will be pursing a doctorate in Neurobiology so I plan on working.
I can not imagine staying home and cleaning/ cooking all day and only have children to talk to. It would drive me crazy! Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just is not for me!

Answer 9

Of course I'd rather work. Why do you think I worked so hard to get accepted into that communications program? I'm not going to spend money on a college education and then decide not to use it. I love working.

Answer 10

i think it depends on what the family needs most is it money ide get a job if its someone taking care of the kids and cleaning the house ide stay home each family is different and i think you should think about whats best and what would work!